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The Sacred Valley Machu Picchu Tour offers a deeper understanding of the Inca civilization in a short time. Both Machu Picchu Sacred Valley played a significant role during the Inca civilization.
Accompanied by an English-speaking local tour guide, you will begin this two-day tour by visiting all the prime sites in the Sacred Valley of the Incas. Sacred Valley is home to some of the impressive archaeological sites.
These Inca ruins, mostly agricultural terraces, were used by Incas to produce different crops. For instance, the terrace in Moray is quite peculiar. It is a massive hole dug into the ground. It has different levels and each level has different temperatures.
The Incas used them as agricultural laboratories to determine the best weather condition needed to grow any crop.
On this two days Sacred Valley Machu Picchu tour, we will be visiting Pisac which is home to the second massive complex of the Inca empire, after Machu Picchu.
Pisac is also a popular weekend destination. Farmers and craftsmen from neighboring villages gather at the main square every weekend to sell their products.
The archaeological complex is perched on a hilltop overlooking the valley.
We will then visit the ruins in Ollantaytambo. This village is the best living example of the Incas’ advanced town planning. The Inca ruins here are where the infamous battle of Ollantaytambo was fought in 1531.
After the tour, you will embark on a train journey to Aguas Calientes. The second day of this Machu Picchu Sacred Valley tour is dedicated to a complete guided tour of the lost Inca city of Machu Picchu.
Erickson Travel Incorporated is a fully locally owned tour operator. We have an excellent team of the local crew who have immense knowledge about the Andean culture and Incan history.
We operate this tour in small groups and as a private tour.
Do check out our reviews on Tripadvisor.
Cusco Hotel Transfer
0700 AM
We will be picking you up from your hotel in Cusco at 0700 AM. We will then embark on an hour’s drive to Pisac. Here, we will begin the experience with a guided tour of the archaeological complex.
The complex features remain of Inca temples, ceremonial centers, and more. After a guided tour, we will be driving you to the main square where you can visit the traditional market.
On weekends, locals set up a market at the main square of Pisac. Here you will be able to buy some souvenirs at a reasonable price. We will then be driving you up the hill to see the archaeological site of Pisac.
Once you have had your fill of Pisac, we will be driving you to Urubamba.
Often referred to as the heart of Sacred Valley for its centric location, Urubamba is the lowest site in terms of altitude. Here we will be stopping at a local restaurant for a buffet lunch.
After relishing an authentic Peruvian meal, we will be driving you to Ollantaytambo. This beautiful village has been important since the Incan civilization. This was once an administrative capital to them.
The narrow cobblestone streets of Ollantaytambo are a testament to the advancement of Incas architecture and town planning. Ollantaytambo is also home to two Inca ruins.
After the full-day tour, we will be driving you to the train station in Ollantaytambo. Here you will be boarding the train to Aguas Calientes. The expedition train journey offers you stunning views of highland Andean farms and villages with the Urubamba River snaking through them.
At Aguas Calientes, we will be meeting you and will be transferring you to the hotel. You will be having some free time to spend the evening by enjoying a stroll through this rustic town. Aguas Calientes is also popular for hot springs so you can spend the evening by taking a rejuvenating dip.
Our local guide will be meeting you that evening at your hotel and will be briefing you on the following day’s trip.
Early in the morning, the hotel crew will be handing you over a snack box. You will then be boarding a bus from Aguas Calientes to the entrance of Machu Picchu citadel. It takes 25 minutes to reach. Here our tour guide will assist you in clearing the security and entering the citadel.
Once inside, you will be rewarded with a sight of the golden rays of sun shimmering on the walls of the Incan citadel. Our guide will be giving you a detailed tour of the citadel for two hours. On this tour, you will be visiting some of the prime sites which will give you in-depth information about the citadel.
After the tour, you will have some free time to explore the citadel on your own. If you have booked to climb Machu Picchu Mountain or Huayna Picchu mountain our guide will be directing you to the entrance. If you intend to hike one of these mountains do advise us at the time of booking.
Alternatively, you can hike to the sun gate. It offers a spectacular view of the citadel. Sungate is the point of entry to the citadel for those on the Inca Trail.
Once you have had your fill of the Inca citadel, you will be taking the bus back to Aguas Calientes. Here you will be boarding the train back to Ollantaytambo.
Our representative will be meeting you and will be transferring you back to your hotel in the city of Cusco. If your hotel is outside the center of Cusco, we will be dropping you off at Plaza de Armas. You will be reaching Cusco at approximately 09:00 PM.
The Sacred Valley receives its name because of the importance it had for the Inca civilization. During Inca times, the crops of the Sacred Valley constituted the main source of food for the population of the city of Cusco. Crops such as corn, kiwicha, quinua and potatoes were, and still are, grown in the Sacred Valley.
The Sacred Valley of the Incas is known for its numerous Inca sites scattered around the region. The most impressive are the Inca citadels of Pisac and Ollantaytambo. However, the valley is also famous for its beautiful Andean cities, such as Urubamba and Chinchero.
The Sacred Valley can be traversed via bus or in a private car. Sites like Pisac, Ollantaytambo and Chinchero can be easily access by car. On the other hand, Machu Picchu can be visited by taking a train at the Ollantaytambo station, or after trekking the Inca trail.
Due to the high altitude of the Sacred Valley (around 2400 meters above sea level), most visitors to the region suffer from altitude sickness on arrival. In order to avoid the symptoms, it’s recommended to spend some days in Cusco city before taking a tour that requires extensive physical activity.
The easiest and most practical way to get from Sacred Valley to Machu Picchu is by taking a tourist train from Ollantaytambo train station to Aguas Calientes and taking an 25 minutes onward bus transfer to Machu Picchu.
No, Machu Picchu is not in the Sacred Valley. Sacred Valley starts in Chinchero (North West of Cusco City) and Pisac (North of Cusco City) and ends in Ollantaytambo.
The distance between the Sacred Valley of the Incas and Machu Picchu is around 53.3 kilometers (33.11 miles).
The whole experience was incredible. Erickson Travel care of the itinerary, picked us from our hotel in Cusco and took us to the train station. The guide was very knowledgeable and professional, always on time and making sure we were alright. He also suggested to go early and take the first bus to Machu Picchu and to be able to see the incredible sunrise. Also a plus of being in the first bus was that we got to take amazing pictures. Totally recommend!